Luke 22:22

Luke 22:22

ESV: For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!"

KJV: And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

NIV: The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!"

NKJV: And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

NLT: For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him."

Meaning

Luke 22:22 declares with certainty that the Son of Man's destined departure—His sacrificial death—is the fulfillment of God's eternal decree. Simultaneously, it pronounces a severe judgment or lament ("woe") upon the specific individual by whom this divinely orchestrated event, the betrayal, takes place. This verse masterfully holds in tension divine sovereignty and human culpability, affirming God's overarching plan while upholding the moral responsibility of the betrayer.

Cross References

Context

Luke 22:22 is delivered by Jesus during the Last Supper, specifically immediately after He institutes the new covenant through the bread and wine, and He explicitly states that He "will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes" (v. 18) and "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (v. 15). The discussion has turned from His passion to the disciples' disputes about greatness, and then directly to the shocking revelation: "But behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table" (v. 21). This verse (v. 22) therefore functions as a crucial clarification. It addresses the disciples' immediate bewilderment and provides a theological framework: the betrayal is not a disruptive anomaly, but a divinely purposed event that must unfold, while clearly separating the perpetrator's agency from God's determination. Historically, the Last Supper took place during the Passover festival, a foundational event celebrating Israel's redemption from Egypt, now being reinterpreted by Jesus in light of His greater redemption. The Jewish leadership was actively plotting Jesus' death, believing they were defending their religious traditions, unaware they were fulfilling prophecy.

Word analysis

• And truly: kai men (καὶ μέν). "And" (kai) links this statement to the preceding one, emphasizing a consequence or continuation. "Truly" (men) acts as a strong affirmative particle, adding emphasis and certainty, like "indeed" or "certainly." It underscores the non-negotiable nature of what follows.

• the Son of Man: ho huios tou anthrōpou (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου). This is Jesus' most frequent self-designation. Rooted in Dan 7:13, it highlights both His full humanity (son of man) and His divine authority as the coming, judge-king figure. Its usage here emphasizes that it is the appointed Messiah, not just any man, whose path is determined, lending cosmic significance to His suffering.

• goes: poreuetai (πορεύεται). Present indicative tense, indicating a definite, ongoing, and certain movement. It is not merely "will go" in the future, but "is going" or "is destined to go," implying a path already set in motion towards an inevitable conclusion—His crucifixion and glorification. It speaks of a journey, a determined course.

• as it was determined: kathos hōristai (καθὼς ὥρισται). "As" (kathos) means "in proportion as" or "inasmuch as," denoting accordance with something. "It was determined" (hōristai) is the perfect passive indicative of horizō, meaning "to fix a boundary," "to appoint," "to decree," "to determine." The perfect tense signifies an action completed in the past with continuing effects into the present, implying an unchangeable divine decree made in eternity past. This signifies divine pre-knowledge and ordination.

• but woe: plēn ouai (πλήν οὐαί). "But" (plēn) functions as a strong contrast, marking a shift from the divine certainty to the human consequence. "Woe" (ouai) is a severe interjection expressing lamentation, sorrow, pain, or a prophetic judgment/condemnation. It conveys divine displeasure and the grim fate awaiting the individual, going beyond mere pity to denote an inevitable judgment and suffering for their sin.

• to that man: tō anthrōpō ekeinō (τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ). "That man" pointedly and definitively identifies the specific individual responsible, drawing a sharp distinction between him and the general group, unmistakably pointing to Judas Iscariot. This personal identification emphasizes the concrete reality of his choice.

• by whom: di’ hou (δι’ οὗ). Literally "through whom" or "by means of whom." This prepositional phrase confirms Judas's active agency and instrumentality in the betrayal.

• He is betrayed: paradidotai (παραδίδοται). Present passive indicative, "is being betrayed" or "is handed over." The present tense here emphasizes the imminence of the action, already in progress. Paradidotai means to "hand over," often used for legal surrender or betrayal into an enemy's hands. Here, it refers to Judas "handing over" Jesus to the authorities, confirming his active participation in the pre-determined plan.

Commentary

Luke 22:22 is a foundational verse for understanding the paradoxical nature of God's sovereignty and human responsibility in the plan of redemption. Jesus' declaration about the "Son of Man" going as it was determined clearly articulates the preordained nature of His suffering and death. This was not an accident or a deviation from God's plan, but the central act ordained "before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet 1:20). Every detail of Jesus' passion, including His betrayal, was a fulfillment of prophecy (e.g., Ps 41:9) and a direct outcome of the "determined counsel and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23).

Yet, this divine determination does not mitigate human guilt. The "woe to that man by whom He is betrayed" powerfully asserts that the betrayer, though instrumental in God's plan, is still morally accountable for his wicked choice. Judas, driven by avarice (Jn 12:6), made a volitional choice to hand over Jesus for personal gain. His act was a product of his own will, for which he received a dreadful condemnation. This illustrates that God uses even the sinful choices of men to accomplish His righteous purposes, yet those who commit such acts are fully culpable. The "woe" is a lament for his self-destruction and a pronouncement of the terrible judgment awaiting him. It highlights that God's decree of what will happen does not erase the responsibility for how individuals choose to act within that framework.

Bonus section

The profound theological tension between divine predestination and human free will, as encapsulated in this verse, has been a cornerstone of theological discussion for centuries. It showcases that the Bible does not shy away from presenting these truths simultaneously without fully resolving them into a simple logical equation that human minds can perfectly comprehend.

The unique aspect of Judas's sin lies not just in the act of betrayal, but in the intimate relationship he shared with Jesus. He was an apostle, one of the Twelve, privy to teachings and miracles not granted to the multitudes. This makes his betrayal particularly heinous, embodying a profound spiritual turning away and rebellion despite unparalleled proximity to truth and divine love. His act was not mere opposition from an outsider, but a piercing wound from within the inner circle.

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